Rangers have seen James Tavernier enjoy a superb season so far, but some may be concerned about the lack of depth behind him.
Captain Tavernier has smashed 12 goals and nine assists in just 20 games this season, continuing his outstanding attacking output for Rangers.
The 29-year-old has now racked up 58 goals and 83 assists in 263 games for Rangers, averaging more than one goal contribution every other game.
Tavernier is Rangers’ undoubted first-choice right back, but what about the depth behind him?
Rangers allowed Matt Polster to leave the club for New England Revolution earlier this year, and chose not to bring in a replacement for the American.
Instead, Rangers have decided to go with youngster Nathan Patterson as their backup right back, putting their trust in the 19-year-old as Tavernier’s competition.
Patterson has only played 52 minutes for Rangers this season, meaning Tavernier has taken on huge loading in terms of playing time.
Now, ex-Rangers man Derek Ferguson has told The Blues Brothers podcast that he thinks the Gers will look to sign a new right back in January, believing that it may be too much to ask of Patterson to be Tavernier’s backup.
“For me, and this is no slight on the boy, Tav has been excellent, but this young boy Patterson… if Tav was to pick up an injury, I mean obviously the boy’s a good player, I’ve seen enough of him, but I sometimes think that is somewhere we could look at,” said Ferguson.
“I don’t know if we’ll get someone with the same quality, because he’s on a mission at the minute. I’m just wondering in that right-back area, whether it is too much of an ask for Patterson,” he added.
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